Minutes: Oct. 2014 meeting

[Christel Manning]

The Economic Development group met on Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, from 6 – 7 pm at 333 Front Street. Present: Christel Manning, David Hunter, Lee Cruz, Kathleen Flynn.

1. Dining out night: Thursday, Oct. 23, 6-8 pm at Iguana Burrito. Christel will post.
2. Anti-blight initiative: Eric Johnson at LCI had promised at our last meeting to contact CHFA about #15 Lewis Street. Christel reported she made several attempts (by phone and email) to follow up with him, but he never got back to her (we have since learned that Eric has left his job at the city). Carla Weil (Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund) did get back to us; she shared a list of houses that are in pre-foreclosure status. We discussed how we might use this list. One option is to use it to disseminate information to home owners who need assistance in sorting through their financial problems. Seven out of ten people who go to Carla will get help; but most people in this situation do not seek help until it’s too late. We may be able to work with Carla’s organization to reach these people; perhaps by canvassing. Another option would be to work with realtors to find buyers for these houses.

Action steps:

• Canvassing the neighborhood is a bigger project. We should take this issue to our general meeting and ask for volunteers (perhaps for next spring).
• Ask Carla’s staff to set up a table and circulate at our next public event (Riverfest?).
• One of us should get on LCI board (Christel?)

       3. Riverfest: The date is set for May 13-2015; as in the past, this is the first Sunday of the month and the day after Fair Haven Family Stroll. Christel has renewed the website. Lee talked to Kevin Anastasio; he is willing to work with us again, though he complained about the high costs (the portapotty, cops). We may be able to help him reduce that (e.g., by working through the city which gets lower prices on portaloos). The big question this year is location because the marina is up for sale and we don’t know it’s current status. Christel will contact Lisa Fitch and Wacoma to get more info.